RETURNING hero Carl Stewart netted on his latest 'debut' for Tadcaster Albion – but it was no dream return as the Brewers were beaten 3-1 at Clitheroe.

Having re-joined the club from Scarborough Athletic last week, Stewart started the Evo-Stik first division north clash up front, and wasted little time in getting off the mark.

Taddy boss Billy Miller made four changes following the previous week’s draw with Brighouse Town.

Keepers Michael Ingham, Gary Stevens and Charlie Murphy all missed the trip across the Pennines due to injury, so Leon Wrigglesworth stepped in.

Josh Barrett was another key figure to be out of action after injuring himself in training.

Andy Milne came back into the side after returning from the USA, and he was joined in the starting line-up by Tom Corner who had shaken off a hamstring strain.

It took just five minutes for Stewart to find the back of the net on his return. Rob Youhill sent the striker in behind who made no mistake, hammering home his 12th goal of the season.

Tadcaster’s lead didn’t last long however, as Clitheroe drew level in the 13th minute.

Dimitri Tuanzebe knew exactly what he wanted to do when he received the ball inside the box – the forward gaining control, turning and driving past Wrigglesworth into the bottom left-hand corner.

Five minutes later, the home side took the lead.

Dan Thirkell’s headed clearance was nodded back over the defence by Charlie Russell and flicked in by captain Danny Brady at the far post.

Milne and Jason Mycoe were both so confident of an offside flag being raised that they stopped in their tracks, but no whistle was forthcoming and the hosts were ahead.

It was an end-to-end first half and Taddy should have equalised themselves in the 21st minute.

Josh Grant’s lofted free-kick was flicked down by Corner, and fell kindly for Josh Greening whose scuffed effort from seven yards out was brilliantly stopped by the left hand of Chris Thompson.

The Brewers could have been back on level terms six minutes later but Youhill was unable to guide Anderson’s shot-come-cross on target.

The second half began at a pulsating tempo with both sides playing with the shackles off, making for a cup tie feel to the contest.

There were very few clear openings in the second 45 minutes for either side, though – mainly due to the well-organised home defence.

Captain Brady was a stand-out at the back, keeping the likes of Corner, Stewart and Greening at bay.

The best chance of the half came 14 minutes from time as once again Corner rose highest to flick on to the head of Milne, but the defender guided straight at Thompson in the Clitheroe goal.

With time running out and the home side determined to hold onto their lead, the points were almost sealed by a Tadcaster player as Mycoe bulleted a header off his own crossbar.

Clitheroe did make sure of the points in stoppage time however, counter-attacking from a Taddy corner.

Tuanzebe started the attack by carrying the ball out of trouble and the same man finished the move off by sliding under Wrigglesworth and sealing the victory.